Programs and Services
ACADEMIC & PERSONAL ADVISING
Academic and personal advising is crucial to a student's educational progress. SSSP provides each of its participants a program advisor who will serve to assess the students' needs and discuss matters in a confidential and professional manner. Academic advisement will include advisement in course selection, fields of study, workshops, drop/add procedures, referrals for tutoring, and other related areas.
The advisors also monitor the participants' academic progress and provide intrusive advisement to help students persist in their programs of study.
FINANCIAL AID ADIVISING
The Iowa State University Student Support Services Program is available to assist students in understanding financial aid eligibility, scholarship opportunities, and deadline requirements. Students are assisted in completing applications and exploring options for financing college costs in an effort to ensure that students are receiving the maximum amount of aid for which they qualify. Advisors will also help students with the development of a budget to manage expenses throughout the semester. For first and second-year students who qualify, SSSP also provides a small financial scholarship to help with expenses.
CAREER PLANNING
Program advisors with the Student Support Services Program are available to assist students with career exploration. Identifying skills and interests and matching these with possible career fields are an important part of the college experience. Assistance is provided in identifying internship, employment, and study abroad opportunities that can enhance student experiences as well. Attending leadership conferences in career fields is another option available to students. In addition, resume writing workshops and information regarding interviewing skills is available to students. Program advisors also offer students assistance in applying to and preparing for graduate and professional schools.
TUTORIAL ASSISTANCE
The level of difficulty of certain college courses often requires academic assistance outside of the classroom. The Student Support Services Program provides its students with this type of assistance. Tutors are available for individualized instruction as well as small study groups and drop-in academic services. Students receive assistance in identifying and overcoming study skills weaknesses and in developing confidence in their relationships with faculty and classmates. In addition, computer courseware and textbooks are available for enhancing course knowledge and understanding.
PEER MENTORING
First and second-year students as well as new transfer students in the Student Support Services Program have the option of being assigned a peer mentor. Peer mentors are juniors and/or seniors in the program who are responsible for direct, one-to-one peer support of assigned students, assisting them in help with study skills, time management, location of campus and community resources as well as personal support.
CULTURAL & EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Iowa State University's Student Support Services Program provides avenues for its students to participate in an array of cultural events and leadership conferences designed to celebrate a rich variety of cultural backgrounds. Activities and events take place both on the university campus as well as in other communities. During the course of the year, selected workshops provide students with specific skills and experiences or enhancing student retention, improving grade point averages, and promoting personal growth.
